A shoe last and shoe sole are provided, an underside of the shoe last comprising a forefoot cavity and a heel cavity, the shoe sole comprising a forefoot pad and a heel pad. The forefoot cavity is adapted to receive the forefoot pad. The heel cavity is adapted to receive the heel pad. A method of centering the sole on the shoe last comprises the steps of providing the shoe last and shoe sole; providing a shoe upper; positioning the shoe last in the shoe upper; using the forefoot pad and heel pad, centering the shoe last on the sole such that an upper portion of the upper heel pad nests within the heel cavity and an upper portion of the forward heel pad nests within the forefoot cavity; attaching the shoe upper to the sole; and removing the shoe last from the shoe upper.

A shoe last and shoe sole are provided, an underside of the shoe last comprising a forefoot cavity and a heel cavity, the shoe sole comprising a forefoot pad and a heel pad. The forefoot cavity is adapted to receive the forefoot pad. The heel cavity is adapted to receive the heel pad. A method of centering the sole on the shoe last comprises the steps of providing the shoe last and shoe sole; providing a shoe upper; positioning the shoe last in the shoe upper; using the forefoot pad and heel pad, centering the shoe last on the sole such that an upper portion of the upper heel pad nests within the heel cavity and an upper portion of the forward heel pad nests within the forefoot cavity; attaching the shoe upper to the sole; and removing the shoe last from the shoe upper.

A footwear article may include a layer coupled to the sock in the sole area of the sock, a heel cushion coupled to the layer in the heel area of the sock, and a polymer material added to the sole area, the lower sides, the lower front side, and the lower rear side of the sock. The polymer material may encompass the layer in the sole area of the sock and the heel cushion. A method for manufacturing a footwear article may include steps of placing a sock on a last; coupling a layer to the sock in the sole area; coupling a heel cushion to the layer in the heel area; placing a heel-area piece and a ball-area piece in a bottom portion of a mold; introducing the last and the sock into the mold; closing the mold; and injecting a polymer material into the bottom portion of the mold, so that the polymer material flows to the sole area, and the lower sides of the sock.

Insole (34) for footwear, the insole (34) comprising an anterior arch support (48); and an anterior reinforcing bridge (54) having a raised section (56) for providing resistance against compression of the anterior arch support (48).

Insole (34) for footwear, the insole (34) comprising an anterior arch support (48); and an anterior reinforcing bridge (54) having a raised section (56) for providing resistance against compression of the anterior arch support (48).

A sole structure including an outsole and a midsole disposed over the outsole. The outsole includes an outsole plate and a plurality of traction elements molded to the outsole plate. Each of the plurality of traction elements includes a plurality of overhangs. Each of the plurality of overhangs is cantilevered from the outsole plate. The midsole includes a plurality of discrete pods. Each of the plurality of discrete pods includes a midsole fluid-filled bladder. The midsole fluid-filled bladder defines an interior cavity and includes a first polymeric layer, a second polymeric layer, and a plurality of midsole tethers interconnecting the first polymeric layer and the second polymeric layer. Each of the plurality of midsole tethers is disposed in the interior cavity of the midsole fluid-filled bladder. Each of the plurality of discrete pods is disposed over and aligned with one of the plurality of traction elements.

A dress shoe includes a flexible upper structure with stretchy lining and outside layers and a zonal-structured cloth layer therebetween to enable elasticity while maintaining structure; a cushioned insole with a three-point support system under the toe crest, the arch, and the heel; and a mixed material insole and outsole to prevent slipping during walking and standing.

A dress shoe includes a flexible upper structure with stretchy lining and outside layers and a zonal-structured cloth layer therebetween to enable elasticity while maintaining structure; a cushioned insole with a three-point support system under the toe crest, the arch, and the heel; and a mixed material insole and outsole to prevent slipping during walking and standing.

The invention provides an insole apparatus for use with an item of footwear. The insole includes upper and opposing lower faces, the upper face being arranged to interface with the sole of a user's foot, in use. The upper face includes two or more areas or regions wherein a portion or portions of the surface of the upper face is raised relative to the remainder of the upper face, the areas or regions positioned to target at least two regions of cutaneous mechanoreceptors in the user's foot, in use. Also provided is an item of footwear including an insole apparatus as herein defined.

The invention provides an insole apparatus for use with an item of footwear. The insole includes upper and opposing lower faces, the upper face being arranged to interface with the sole of a user's foot, in use. The upper face includes two or more areas or regions wherein a portion or portions of the surface of the upper face is raised relative to the remainder of the upper face, the areas or regions positioned to target at least two regions of cutaneous mechanoreceptors in the user's foot, in use. Also provided is an item of footwear including an insole apparatus as herein defined.